Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
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Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department said today (May 24) that the red flag at Hung Shing Yeh Beach in Islands District has been lowered.
The red flag was hoisted at the beach earlier after an oil spill.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Heritage Museum showcases Haven Collection’s Ming furniture and modern artistic chairs
Addressing the opening ceremony held today (May 23), the Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Culture), Miss Eve Tam, said that Ming furniture embodies the profound wisdom of traditional Chinese design. Crafted from exquisite materials, with clean silhouettes and elegant forms, it fully exemplifies the spirit of Chinese craftsmanship. Through a unique perspective that juxtaposes past and present and pairs East and West, this exhibition illustrates how contemporary designers draw inspiration from Chinese cultural heritage, using upcycled materials and new technologies to reinterpret traditional craftsmanship in the modern era.
Other officiating guests included Legislative Council Member and Museum Expert Adviser for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), Professor Lau Chi-pang; Dr Lau; Mr Lau; and the Museum Director of the HKHM, Mr Brian Lam.
The exhibits generate in-depth conversations between the past and the present. The craftsmanship on display ranges from traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery to cutting-edge 3D-printing techniques, with materials ranging from precious Chinese rosewood to eco-friendly upcycled resources. Highlights include a horseshoe armchair crafted from precious Chinese rosewood (huanghuali), distinguished by its clean and elegant silhouette – a form that embodies the ancient Chinese principle of “round heaven and square earth”. Another highlight is a grand-scale alcove bed made of Chinese southern elm. It features an enclosed chamber space, inviting visitors to closely observe the refined daily life of women from ancient noble families.
In parallel with the traditional furniture, the exhibition also features guest curator Mr Lau’s curated selection of modern furniture, including the iconic “CH24 Wishbone Chair” by renowned Danish modern designer Hans J Wegner, alongside creative works by local designers and artists. Among them is “Golden Blossom”, a 3D-printed flower table by artist Victor Wong that features carvings of exquisite floral motifs, symbolising wealth and harmony. The “Yuan Chair”, designed by Koren Sin and Kirin Leung, takes the Chinese drum stool’s simple form and reinterprets it with a twist of modern parametric style. These design works reveal contemporary interpretations of traditional Chinese furniture by designers from Hong Kong and abroad.
The exhibition will be held at Function Place, 1/F of the HKHM. Admission is free. It is also one of the activities in the Chinese Culture Promotion Series by the LCSD. A series of talks will be held during the exhibition, inviting audiences to explore the craftsmanship and design of Ming furniture and to examine how Chinese culture is deeply rooted in everyday life and has shaped the evolving aesthetics of everyday objects over the past century. For details of the exhibition and activities, please visit hk.heritage.museum/en/exhibitions/wow2_furniture.htmlIssued at HKT 17:50
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
A delegation led by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) completed their three-day technical visits on hydrogen in Yangtze River Delta region today (May 23).
The Yangtze River Delta is one of the most vibrant regions for the hydrogen industry development in the country, with a complete industrial chain and an innovation-driven ecosystem. The delegation, comprised international and Hong Kong hydrogen experts and corporate representatives, visited state-level key hydrogen testing facilities and leading hydrogen enterprises in Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang. They learnt about fuel cell vehicles, fuel cells, liquid hydrogen equipment, hydrogen tank containers, electrolysers and railway-related hydrogen equipment, as well as a variety of innovative and large-scale application scenarios, including the Jiaxing Zhapu International Port Container Terminal and a hydrogen refuelling station supplied with hydrogen via pipelines.
The delegation learnt about national-level hydrogen testing capabilities, research and manufacturing capacities across the five core segments of the hydrogen industry namely production, storage, transportation, refuelling and utilisation, as well as application outcomes of hydrogen in various scenarios, further deepening collaboration between the country and international partners in hydrogen development.
When concluding the visits, the Assistant Director (Gas and General Legislation) of the EMSD, Mr Eric Wong, said that, as set out in “The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address”, Hong Kong will actively integrate itself into the country’s overall development and plays an active role of “Bringing in” and “Going Global”. The visits were one of the key events of the Hydrogen Week. By leading representatives from more than ten countries and hydrogen experts to witness on-site the significant potential of the hydrogen energy technologies in the country and Hong Kong, the visits are expected to help foster more cross-border co-operation opportunities, fully demonstrating Hong Kong’s unique role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”.
Looking ahead, the EMSD will continue to make use of key platforms such as the Hydrogen Week, to give full play to Hong Kong’s advantages of internationalisation and connecting the Mainland and the world. This will help high-quality hydrogen enterprises from the Mainland and Hong Kong to “go global”, while bringing international enterprises and capital into the country, thereby contributing to the robust development of the country’s hydrogen industry in the international market.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Government delegation departs for Shenzhou-23 manned spaceflight mission send-off ceremony at Jiuquan, Gansu
Members of the delegation include the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr Ivan Lee, experts from the innovation and technology sector, youths and students.
Professor Sun will return to Hong Kong on May 25. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong, will be the Acting Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry.
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, at the discussion session entitled “Foster New Engines of Innovative and Dynamic Trade and Investment Cooperation” at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in Suzhou today (May 23):
Thank you, Chair, and the Acting Secretary-General of the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) for his insightful presentation.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The China Manned Space Agency announced today (May 23) the Shenzhou-23 crew, including Dr Lai Ka-ying, the payload expert from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, expressed gratitude to the country for its support for and trust in the HKSAR. He also congratulated Dr Lai on passing the rigorous selection and training process to become one of the country’s fourth batch of astronauts, thereby contributing Hong Kong’s strength to the country’s aerospace endeavours. Mr Lee wished the Shenzhou-23 manned spaceflight mission great success.
Mr Lee said, “As this year marks the beginning of the National 15th Five-Year Plan, the HKSAR is embracing a historic moment in the pursuit of its aerospace dream. We are deeply inspired by this moment of extraordinary significance, where a Hong Kong specialist takes part in the spaceflight mission as an astronaut for the first time. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the country for providing the HKSAR’s technology talent with this valuable opportunity to take part in the aerospace endeavours of the country.
“The HKSAR has been contributing to the country’s aerospace development. Various research institutions and universities have been participating in aerospace research projects, including providing systems, instruments, and technical support for the country’s lunar and Mars exploration missions, as well as conducting spaceborne experiments. The HKSAR Government has also established the Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Center under the InnoHK Research Clusters to participate in related national aerospace missions. Under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, Hong Kong possesses the distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world. With five universities ranking among the world’s top 100, Hong Kong provides a powerful impetus for nurturing and attracting innovation and technology (I&T) talent.
“The participation of a scientific researcher from Hong Kong in the spaceflight mission for the first time is not only an affirmation of her own capability, but also a testimony to the country’s high recognition of Hong Kong’s I&T talent, development, and achievements. It also fully reflects the great importance attached, as well as the care and support given to the technological development in Hong Kong by our country. I warmly congratulate Dr Lai and sincerely wish her every success in the spaceflight mission.”
Dr Lai thanked the country and the HKSAR Government for their support. She felt deeply honoured to be able to represent the HKSAR to participate in the country’s spaceflight mission. She said that she will spare no effort and strive to live up to the expectations of the country and the HKSAR. Meanwhile, she expressed the hope that this mission would inspire more Hong Kong youths to devote themselves to the field of I&T, thereby contributing to the country’s scientific and technological self-reliance and strength.
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, led a HKSAR delegation to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center to participate in the upcoming send-off ceremony and witness this historic moment. Members of the delegation include the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, and other government representatives, I&T experts, youths and students.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Dr Lai obtained a doctoral degree in computer forensics. She is a Superintendent of the Hong Kong Police Force. In the recruitment exercise of the country’s fourth batch of preparatory astronauts launched in 2022, she was successfully selected as a payload expert and was deployed to the China Astronaut Research and Training Center for training. Payload experts are responsible for conducting experiments such as scientific and applied research at the space station.
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The annual Bun Scrambling Competition was held early this morning at the Pak Tai Temple Playground football pitch on Cheung Chau.
Twelve finalists competed, climbing the bun tower to gather as many buns as they could in three minutes.
Kwok Ka-ming was named as the men’s champion, with Kung Tsz-shan winning the women’s contest.
Around 1,650 spectators witnessed the dramatic event, which served as the grand finale to the Bun Carnival.
There was also an invitation relay event, in which three teams from Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Macau competed against seven local teams from Cheung Chau.
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Chief Executive John Lee extended warm congratulations on the successful launch of the Shenzhou-23 manned spacecraft, and offered his best wishes to the crew members, including Hong Kong’s first astronaut, payload expert Lai Ka-ying.
The Long March 2F Y23 carrier rocket lifting the Shenzhou-23 was launched at 11.08pm today from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The spacecraft was separated from the rocket successfully and entered its predetermined orbit.
The Chief Executive remarked that the country has realised its grand blueprint of becoming an aerospace power through unwavering determination and perseverance, a forward-looking vision, and strategic planning.
“This mission is of great significance, as it is not only the first manned spaceflight mission during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, but also the first time for a payload expert from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to participate in it. All citizens of Hong Kong are thrilled and proud.”
Mr Lee highlighted that the National 15th Five-Year Plan clearly sets out key strategies to develop a modernised industrial system and expedite the nation’s development as an aerospace power.
“With the strong support of the country, the Hong Kong SAR can transform from a supporter of the country’s great aerospace endeavours into an executor.
“This not only demonstrates the Hong Kong SAR’s capability in contributing to the country’s development into an aerospace power, but also showcases how Hong Kong could better integrate into and serve the overall national development.”
The spacecraft will rendezvous with and dock and at the Tiangong space station. The crew of the Shenzhou-23 will conduct an on-orbit rotation with that of the Shenzhou-21.
The astronauts, including Ms Lai, will stay in the space station and conduct a variety of science and technology experiments.
The Hong Kong SAR Government said it will seize opportunities arising from the historic achievement of having a Hong Kong expert participating in a national spaceflight mission for the first time, in order to enhance popular science education and showcase the country’s aerospace technology development.
It added that it will highlight the distinctive contributions of the Hong Kong SAR to the nation’s space endeavours, thereby inspiring young people to engage in the field of innovation and technology.
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Chief Executive John Lee has conducted a video conversation with Hong Kong’s first astronaut, Lai Ka-ying, and congratulated her on being included in the crew for the Shenzhou-23 mission.
Also joining the conversation were Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Sun Dong, and Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung.
When asked about her life at the China Astronaut Research & Training Center, Ms Lai revealed that every day is packed with activities. Despite the tough programme, she is glad to have finally made it and feels confident about completing the mission.
She mentioned that her children are happy studying in Beijing, and that never having been away from Hong Kong for this long, she hopes to return as soon as she completes her mission.
Prof Sun stressed that the Government is proud of Ms Lai meeting the standards to carry out a space mission in just over a year.
Ms Yeung conveyed the honour and pride of all 170,000 civil servants in Ms Lai’s accomplishments.
The Chief Executive said that Ms Lai’s participation in the mission shows national recognition and also the country’s trust in and support for Hong Kong.
He urged Ms Lai to rest well, stay in good condition and relax her mind, and wished her a successful mission.